Recent Posts by jordan

Law of Suffering

02 Jan 2006 in Concepts&Definitions

The Law of Suffering was defined by Mahatma Gandhi as the necessity of the nonviolent actor voluntarily enduring suffering as a mechanism for transforming an opponent. The law rests on Gandhi’s observation that “real suffering bravely borne melts even a heart of stone. Such is the potency of suffering or tapas. And there [...]



Law of Progression

01 Jan 2006 in Concepts&Definitions

Mahatma Gandhi defined the Law of Progression during his early years in South Africa. According to Gandhi, nonviolence has a magnetic quality that draws more people to it through its implications for action instead of passivity and appeal to people’s basic compassion and respect for life. In his own words,
My experience has taught me that [...]



Coercion vs. Persuasion

01 Jan 2006 in Concepts&Definitions&Methods

Coercion vs Persuasion is a comparison of tactics. It is the description of the means to an end. Ideally, nonviolence works by opening the heart of the opponent, in other words, by persuading them to voluntarily change their belief or action. Coercion on the other hand, employs threat power so that one person feels they [...]



“work” vs. work

01 Jan 2006 in Concepts&Definitions

The distinction, work vs “work” is necessary to stress that the beneficial results of nonviolent action often lie in the future. “Work” means the immediate and obvious effects, while work without quotes designates the resulting underlying and fundamental shifts brought about by nonviolence; in other words, it means ‘does good work’ not ‘got what we [...]



  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4
  7. 5
  8. 6